Sefer Habachur, "Four essays in Hebrew grammar, each one including thirteen principles". [Printing house of Yitzchak, Yom Tov and Yaakov, sons of Avigdor Halevi Katzav]. Rome, [1518]. First edition of the well-known composition of R. Eliyahu Bachur (Elia Levita).
This volume is missing 11 leaves. At the end of the book are bound 5 leaves of Sefer HaHarkava, by the same author, printed the same year in the same printing house.
R. Eliyahu Halevi Ashkenazi (Elia Levita) - "Habachur" (1469-1549), was among the greatest scholars and Hebrew grammarians in Renaissance Italy. He wrote, translated and proofread many books, and was known as R. Eliyahu Bachur after his present composition, Sefer Habachur.
Leaf [38] of the current copy contains differences from the copy in the National Library of Israel. The Library's copy includes a long paragraph under the colophon; the current copy's page is left blank under the colophon.
Owner's signature on title page: "Shmuel Bechor Moshe Kapsuto, may his light shine".
Leaves missing. [47] leaves (out of [58] originally) + [5] leaves from Sefer Haharkava. Sefer Habachur is missing the following leaves: [6-7], [10], [51-58]. 11 leaves missing in total. Leaf [51] has been replaced with a handwritten copy. 14.5 cm. Good-fair condition. Stains. Repaired tears and damage. New binding. Bookplate of Rabbi Eliyahu Toaff on the inner front cover.
Provenance: Toaff family collection.